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WINEMAKING The cellar affords ample room for production. Winemaker Alex MacGregor said a "big day" at the winery could include processing 15 tons. Most wine and grape analysis is done in the on-site lab. every stage from welding and erecting tank catwalks to framing the tasting room and laying concrete for the winery and crush area. "He loves laying concrete," MacGregor notes. During a recent tour, the winemaker pointed out that the tasting room bar, on which several visitors were leaning comfortably, had been built and installed by Fetzer and vineyard manager Rob Car- rillo within the past few days. Ample room for winemaking The square winery building sits against a hillside a few miles north of Hopland, Calif., and off the west side of Highway 101. The estate is the former Sundial ranch, made famous by the Fetzer Sundial unoaked Chardonnays, a big-selling brand now owned by Concho y Toro of Chile. A modern, modular building with a design similar to the winery houses the tasting room. Entrances to the winery's horseshoe cave open near the winery and tasting room. As Fetzer built the winery MacGregor said he requested ample room for wine- making, and he received plenty of it. The large building is a utilitarian shell hous- ing tanks and some storage space as well as offices and the lab. While simple, the building is expansive and MacGregor said he could set it up to receive and crush fruit outside or inside the cellar. The large INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS Our New Tank Jackets on our Portable Tanks. They are"forkliftable," stackable, with a sloped tank bottom for easy drainage and cleaning. Wes_WV-DEC-2012.indd 1 Westec's New Tank Jackets can be built for any size tank. The 5' total height dimpled cooling jacket provides complete temperature control. WINES & VINES DECEMBER 2012 29 10/15/12 3:47 PM